Kupa has pneumonia and is gravely ill. He is now gasping for air. His breathing is noisy. Dark tongue and dark nostrils, both of which should be pink. He is not getting enough oxygen. And I did not see him eat yesterday so we went to my vet in the afternoon.
After we visited the vet, where he had samples taken and swabs taken and spent most of the period swaddled in a towel in my arms, with me calling his call to him softly ‘ Neil-Neil, Neil-Neil. ‘ Kupa was still with shock, so we decided to bring him inside and put his box on the heated bathroom floor in the Coupe. Shock needs quiet and warmth and a cup of tea. Though I had the cup of tea. I am deeply against bringing wild animals inside but pneumonia needs warmth and humidity. Not dry, cold and dusty like the chook house and I can give him his medications for the next 24 hours without traumatising him by catching him each time. He can stay still and quiet. And I can make sure he eats and drinks. I have put two dog crates together so he can stretch out his tail.
But it is a catch 22. Birds, even robust birds like peacocks, are fragile really. A visit to the vet and a period in the house fill the bird with fear so are risky at best. But I should have taken him to the vet weeks ago. He has a great desire to survive to have lasted this long I think. At least there is no sign of worms at all.
Hopefully the antibiotics will clear up the ecoli lining his throat. But I may have left it too late. He is unchanged this morning.
I bet he wishes he was flying South for the winter. I have made him up a tonic of honey, fenugreek, (which promotes appetite in fowls) garlic and cider vinegar mixed with a lot of water. He has some in a bowl next to his clear water. And I shall also feed him drops of this when I can. He has four days of antibiotics ahead of him, injected into his breast. If he survives the next few nights he may survive the winter. But he will be living in the warm chook house with the chickens for the winter. No more free ranging with the others.
Today I will bring in a bigger cage and stand it upright in the basement so he can roost. Last night was pretty cramped for the poor fella, but he was warm and quiet.
In recovery mode, I hope. Nursing a bird is very different from nursing a sheep.
Have a lovely day.
your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
79 responses to “a peacock in the bathroom”
So sorry to hear Kupa has gotten worse. I hope the medication and some time indoors will bring healing his way.
Hope Kupa gets well soon. Poor bird.
oh Miss C, my heart goes to you and Kupa both. He knows you love him and are doing the absolute best for him so we will join hands, all of us here, sending good thoughts, prayers, healing energies to the farmy.
Viv and Jock have a special connection to Kupa so I am your healing thoughts will have special power.. c
YES!
I’m just asked that a few extra angels be sent to watch over you and our Kupa.
I am keeping Kupa and you in my prayers. God hears them all –even for our sweet animal friends. Rest, Ce–you have had quite a time of it lately.
Glad you have him in the bathroom where it is humid. Coul you give him a concentration of peppermint or chrysanthemum tea, Celi? Any herbs that help to open the bronchial passages and airways might bring him some relief. All the very best to Kupa!!! I am also sending healing energy to your beautiful friend.
I am sending positive healing energy for your beautiful bird, Celi! Poor Kupa! Glad he is getting some humidity. Just a thought, but in Chinese
Herbal medicine we use concentrated doses of peppermint and chrysanthemum and other herbs that open up the bronchial passages and airways. If he can take this in a tincture or tea this may bring him some further relief. A peppermint salve that you can apply directly beneath his feathers if he lets you may also help.
i have a bowl of steaming water in there with some drops of eucalyptus oil.. I don’t have any peppermint and chrysanthemum is all gone. I must remember to gather more this summer.. poor old fella.. c
C, I have a number of thoughts: have you considered rescue remedy?
The Naturopathic doctor gives thyme tincture with licorice and marshmallow for pneumonia in humans. I’m not sure if birds can tolerate licorice though.
I hope your wee lad pulls through; would you consider making him a wee coat for winter? or ship him over to me for winter; mind you I would probably have to stand fanning him if he arrived this week.
I must get some rescue remedy. daisy will be needing it before long too.. c
I do hope he makes a recovery soon!
My goodness. You’ve certainly had your share of challenges over the past few weeks. Praying that Kupa recovers. These animals, they steal our hearts.
My heart goes out to you and your magnificent Kupa. What is so difficult it seems to me is–birds are so “other”–unlike a sheep, for instance.This may seem a ridiculous idea, but when we get stuffed up we heat up Vicks vaporub in water. I learned just now after checking the jar’s ingredients, it contains menthol and eucalyptus! I didn’t know this.
You must surely be at your wit’s end. I have to keep reminding myself you raised 5 children and have had plenty thrown at you over the years! Unlike me, who goes to pieces over the least thing.
I bet you are a lot tougher than you give yourself credit for. After your husbands op, maybe you two can come on down and meet the farmy family, maybe in the spring, hopefully kupa will still be around..
Nursing a bird id one of the most difficult tasks there is… they suffer from trauma so easily and give up easily too… but it does sound as though your bird is fighting on…
He is such a glorious pet, I hope he pulls through, Celi. You have certainly had you share. xo
Oh My.. Magic and healing going your way as I type. I would like to add 2 cents on tonic. Perhaps a pinch of some kind of hot pepper to your tonic? It promotes clearing of bacteria in humans also adds Vitamin C. for healing. Helps the body cough up junk,and is warming to boot. Peacock Power!
Oh my, it’s like a member of the family needs help; blessings on you and get better Kupa. We will carry the Farmy around in our hearts’ inner linings today! and more
Oh! I am so sorry that I thought it was worms. Here I led you down a very wrong path. MAGIC thoughts and cyber hugs for you and for Kupa. This is not good. But a warm bathroom is really nice. Many a little calf and some little lambs and a couple of piggies have lived in my bath room or behind our wood stove not to mention dozens upon dozens of chickens!
Healing thoughts for you and for Kupa!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com